42 years after the reggae and rocksteady pioneer’s death, Paramount Pictures and “King Richard” director Reinaldo Marcus Green have released the first trailer for Bob Marley: One Love, a biopic celebrating the musician’s life and legacy.
While the film will mainly focus on the period after a 1976 attempt on his life, during which Marley prepares to return to Jamaica for the One Love Peace Concert, it will also highlight his beginnings in Jamaica and his meteoric rise to fame. The trailer itself sees Marley, portrayed by British actor Kingsley Ben-Adir (who appeared in television series The OA and Vera, and will appear in the upcoming Barbie film), struggling with his role in conflict and his adherence to the peaceful and loving message within his music. With shots of Ben-Adir both performing live and those of him living a normal life with friends and family, we see a dichotomic perspective on the reggae legend’s life.
Alongside Ben-Adir is Lashana Lynch, who plays Marley’s wife Rita Marley. Zach Baylin, Frank E. Flowers and Terence Winter wrote the original screenplay for the film, and Marley’s son Ziggy as well as his daughter Cedella, and widow, Rita are aiding the project as producers. “It’s great to be here today on behalf of this movie about my father,” said Ziggy Marley at this year’s CinemaCon. “I’m here as a producer of this film, but also as a steward of my father’s incredible legacy… this message of unity and love is as urgent as ever.”
Bob Marley: One Love comes to theaters January 12th, 2024. Watch the trailer below. For more about Bob Marley, revisit June’s #TBTXPN featuring the reggae icon.